| What's going on with Nepcon next year??? | I have heard rumors allot of the big guys are moving to IPC/SMEMA show on a long beach somewhere in Calif.. | | Any info on who is planning to attend Nepcon 2k would be nice | Fuji?? | Universal??? | | | Mike:

There are way too many shows now, just can't figure it all out. With tight money, too few engineers and too many of us salesmen, all we need is another show to attend.

You can go to the IPC website at www.ipc.org and check it out, or email Dan Green@ipc.org and he can maybe send you information on the show. There is a website for the show, but it doesn't seem to work (?).

I do feel that if there is a show that I enjoy to attend it is Nepcon West where we can see all of the new equipment and technology advancements. I am sure that you will see some of the big guys attending the new IPC/SMEMA show, but I wouldn't think they would pull out of Nepcon West completely.

The Nepcon shows I feel are hurting Nepcon East, Nepcon Southwest and Nepcon Philly, just to name a few. The big guys pulled out of Nepcon East and the show has gone way downhill. Most of the engineers in the area aren't planning on attending.

Bottom line is if the equipment manufacturers want to spend their money wisely they would just go out and visit with their CUSTOMERS, correct the problems THEY are having and focus on the ENGINEERS that are doing the day to day work. Just forget the tire kickers that attend most shows. Sorry for getting carried away.

| | What's going on with Nepcon next year??? | | I have heard rumors allot of the big guys are moving to IPC/SMEMA show on a long beach somewhere in Calif.. | | | | Any info on who is planning to attend Nepcon 2k would be nice | | Fuji?? | | Universal??? | | | | | | | Mike: | | There are way too many shows now, just can't figure it all out. With tight money, too few engineers and too many of us salesmen, all we need is another show to attend. | | You can go to the IPC website at www.ipc.org and check it out, or email Dan Green@ipc.org and he can maybe send you information on the show. There is a website for the show, but it doesn't seem to work (?). | | I do feel that if there is a show that I enjoy to attend it is Nepcon West where we can see all of the new equipment and technology advancements. I am sure that you will see some of the big guys attending the new IPC/SMEMA show, but I wouldn't think they would pull out of Nepcon West completely. | | The Nepcon shows I feel are hurting Nepcon East, Nepcon Southwest and Nepcon Philly, just to name a few. The big guys pulled out of Nepcon East and the show has gone way downhill. Most of the engineers in the area aren't planning on attending. | | Bottom line is if the equipment manufacturers want to spend their money wisely they would just go out and visit with their CUSTOMERS, correct the problems THEY are having and focus on the ENGINEERS that are doing the day to day work. Just forget the tire kickers that attend most shows. Sorry for getting carried away. | | | Just my thoughts | | | Wayne | I hear you Wayne, NEPCON West is the best show. With a $200 advance reservation plane ticket you get to go to any show, why not that one? But for more than a few of the "big dogs" in the equipment business this will be their last NEPCON West. If all was well, there would be no reason for an IPC/SMEMA 2000 at approximately the same time, station, and location as NEPCON West. I mean are we saturated with those shows 'er what? (As you said) Naw, there are some unhappy campers out there and they're doing something about it, saturated or not. TTYL Dave F

| | | What's going on with Nepcon next year??? | | | I have heard rumors allot of the big guys are moving to IPC/SMEMA show on a long beach somewhere in Calif.. | | | | | | Any info on who is planning to attend Nepcon 2k would be nice | | | Fuji?? | | | Universal??? | | | | | | | | | | | Mike: | | | | There are way too many shows now, just can't figure it all out. With tight money, too few engineers and too many of us salesmen, all we need is another show to attend. | | | | You can go to the IPC website at www.ipc.org and check it out, or email Dan Green@ipc.org and he can maybe send you information on the show. There is a website for the show, but it doesn't seem to work (?). | | | | I do feel that if there is a show that I enjoy to attend it is Nepcon West where we can see all of the new equipment and technology advancements. I am sure that you will see some of the big guys attending the new IPC/SMEMA show, but I wouldn't think they would pull out of Nepcon West completely. | | | | The Nepcon shows I feel are hurting Nepcon East, Nepcon Southwest and Nepcon Philly, just to name a few. The big guys pulled out of Nepcon East and the show has gone way downhill. Most of the engineers in the area aren't planning on attending. | | | | Bottom line is if the equipment manufacturers want to spend their money wisely they would just go out and visit with their CUSTOMERS, correct the problems THEY are having and focus on the ENGINEERS that are doing the day to day work. Just forget the tire kickers that attend most shows. Sorry for getting carried away. | | | | | | Just my thoughts | | | | | | Wayne | | | I hear you Wayne, NEPCON West is the best show. With a $200 advance reservation plane ticket you get to go to any show, why not that one? But for more than a few of the "big dogs" in the equipment business this will be their last NEPCON West. If all was well, there would be no reason for an IPC/SMEMA 2000 at approximately the same time, station, and location as NEPCON West. I mean are we saturated with those shows 'er what? (As you said) Naw, there are some unhappy campers out there and they're doing something about it, saturated or not. TTYL Dave F | | Yes its a shame what is happening but we have the same problem with Nepcon in the UK the organisers don't tend to listen to what the exhibitors want and they are the people that pay the bills..

They often don't listen to what the trade groups say or even the visitors and that the people who need to be pleased with the event.

| | | | What's going on with Nepcon next year??? | | | | I have heard rumors allot of the big guys are moving to IPC/SMEMA show on a long beach somewhere in Calif.. | | | | | | | | Any info on who is planning to attend Nepcon 2k would be nice | | | | Fuji?? | | | | Universal??? | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mike: | | | | | | There are way too many shows now, just can't figure it all out. With tight money, too few engineers and too many of us salesmen, all we need is another show to attend. | | | | | | You can go to the IPC website at www.ipc.org and check it out, or email Dan Green@ipc.org and he can maybe send you information on the show. There is a website for the show, but it doesn't seem to work (?). | | | | | | I do feel that if there is a show that I enjoy to attend it is Nepcon West where we can see all of the new equipment and technology advancements. I am sure that you will see some of the big guys attending the new IPC/SMEMA show, but I wouldn't think they would pull out of Nepcon West completely. | | | | | | The Nepcon shows I feel are hurting Nepcon East, Nepcon Southwest and Nepcon Philly, just to name a few. The big guys pulled out of Nepcon East and the show has gone way downhill. Most of the engineers in the area aren't planning on attending. | | | | | | Bottom line is if the equipment manufacturers want to spend their money wisely they would just go out and visit with their CUSTOMERS, correct the problems THEY are having and focus on the ENGINEERS that are doing the day to day work. Just forget the tire kickers that attend most shows. Sorry for getting carried away. | | | | | | | | | Just my thoughts | | | | | | | | | Wayne | | | | | I hear you Wayne, NEPCON West is the best show. With a $200 advance reservation plane ticket you get to go to any show, why not that one? But for more than a few of the "big dogs" in the equipment business this will be their last NEPCON West. If all was well, there would be no reason for an IPC/SMEMA 2000 at approximately the same time, station, and location as NEPCON West. I mean are we saturated with those shows 'er what? (As you said) Naw, there are some unhappy campers out there and they're doing something about it, saturated or not. TTYL Dave F | | | | Yes its a shame what is happening but we have the same problem with Nepcon in the UK the organisers don't tend to listen to what the exhibitors want and they are the people that pay the bills.. | | They often don't listen to what the trade groups say or even the visitors and that the people who need to be pleased with the event. | | | My personal opinion, and we know what opinions are like...

I will not attend Nepcon 2000. I will go to, and present papers at, the IPC/SMEMA show. As I understand it, the idea behind the show is that it is a show by the industry for the industry. Not a show by a giant, professional, for-profit organization that really doesn't know the industry or care what the exhinitors or attendees want.

And the prices have gotten outrageous. So you might get a $200 plane ticket, but then you pay almost $200 a night for a room. Okay, that's fine, too. But the killer is the prices that are charged for workshops, PACs, and tech sessions. The leaders of these workshops are doing it for free, so why does it cost almost $1000 for a one day session?

And from an exhibitor's perspective, I understand that the IPC/SMEMA show will allocate space more failry among the exhibitors. So you won't need an incredibly deep wallet or long history just to stay out of the basement of hall E.

Finally, and this is pure gossip, it is rumored that Reed cleared $14 million on last year's west coast show. Now I am a dyed-in-the-wool capitalist so I'm fine with healthy margins, but I'd also rather see that kind of revenue going to IPC or SMEMA, and coming back into our industry. Another rumor I heard is that Reed is running a little scared about the IPC show's impact on Nepcon, and has offered to administrate it for a (not so nominal) fee.

You pretty much hit the nail on the head Chrys. Reed runs a lot of exhibitions for a lot of different industries, and they do very well for themselves, probably too well. Right after InterNepcon Japan '96, the major equipment suppliers in Japan got together and said "enough is enough". They formed a cooperative group called PROTEC (modeled after the existing JARA group) and put on their own show (Protec Japan) at the end of 1998, foregoing future InterNepcon shows. What's happening with Nepcon West is simply the next stage of a very powerful movement. Perhaps Reed's attempts to rectify the situation were seen as "too little.. too late". But you know... change is not always a bad thing.

Guess I have indicated that I am not supportive of Trade Shows in general. Make it very clear that I do not support Nepcon West, East, Southwest, Philly, Japan, or UK. Of all of them I feel that there should only be Nepcon West.

As for airplane cost to California I can only say that we make due with what is available. This year the cheapest I have found and booked was about $400. As for rooms I find it easy to get rooms in the anaheim area for around 50-60 a night. This year I thin the room is in the $60 range.

The problem I see with any new show is the space available for exhibits, easy of getting around the area, and hotel cost. I don't think we will find it easy getting around Long Beach?

San Deigo has a great convention center and would certainly hold a PCB / SMT exhibit and have the staff to make it a good show.

My favorite place would be las Vegas, but will CEO's let their people attend a trade show there? Use to when SMT was there!

Some of my principals have informed me that they will participate in the IPC/SMEMA show in 2000 and not Nepcon West. Others have indicated that they are looking into it, but have not made up their minds yet. I would think if the big exhibitors move out then the little ones will also, but would it be different at a new show. The vendors spending over 1m now will do the same there and their area of the show will be very large and the little exhibitor will still have the 10 X 20 booth.

Lets face it, we will always have trade shows, and spend money to go to them, complain about the turnout, setup problems, takedown problems, low lead count, and prepare for the next show.

I have spent the last twenty some years going to these parties and still attend yearly, monthly it seems.

One concern I have is having shows tied directly to an orgainization. We see that with SMI and IMAPS (formally ISHM). It is a good place for olde friends to meet but the turnout to the exhibit hall is very low and the shows become smaller every year. Cost are high in respect to the ROI for doing the show.

So, lets all get ready and go to Nepcon West this year and then the IPC/SMEMA show next year.

And the vendors show prepare themselves and the booth personnel so they come away with something at the end.

I started writing about how much I hate all of the trade shows, but decided it was a bit negative so deleted...

I have indicated that I like Nepcon West, as it is the one American show where we can see all of the latest technology and equipment displayed at one time.

All the vendors are upset with the cost of doing the show. It has just gotten too big and the cost is so high that only the big guys can afford to expand the booth sizes. It is really tough to walk into one of the Halls A-B-C and see the entire hall being owned by one group. Some of these companies are spending more than $2,000,000.00 (put all the 0 in to expand the number) and have over 300 people staffing the area.

One of our vendors/principals had a dinner with over 350 people attending! Putting all the cost together how can one justify it and what is the number of sales that have to be a directed result of the show? I am sure that there are several stories about costing of Nepcon shows and all seem so far out they are hard to believe.

My only point is: Most vendors would be wise to lower the equipment price, visit the customers (one on one) more often and promote their products the old fashion way. If they are going to continue the show trail, then spend some money to get professional help to train the people working the booths. Most don't collect any information from the potential customers, never check to make sure there is a proper telephone number and mailing address and haven't a clue what the visitors company is doing. End result is you get a lead that indicates HOT with no telphone number and the name is spelled wrong.

As for trade shows / symposiums. This is always better for the individual engineer. Most of the time the papers are very good, also it opens the door for more junior and middle level engineers to present papers. As for the exhibit halls, we find them to be very slow with little traffic. Two to look at are IMAPS (formally ISHM) and SMI. Being from the east we were at both shows this year and ended up with about 6 leads from 7 principals at IMAPS and about 20 leads from 5 principals at SMI.

No business was closed from either show.

Having manufactured and sold capital equipment for about 15 years prior to starting MSD, I can honestly state I never sold a piece of equipment off-the-floor-show. There might be about 10 sales that were a direct result of doing the shows, but our key reason for going was to keep up with the competitors, show a company image and to thank the customers that came by the booth.

People attending shows should prepare themselves. Go on the internet, look at the websites of the companies you desire to visit, send them an email request special attention when at the show. Put together questions to ask the people while there and make sure you provide them with accurate information and request feedback from them.

Keep a few notes and when you get back to the office do yourself a trip report from your notes. Then when the literature starts coming in you will be able to connect it with your show visit. Not to worry a few reps and direct sales people will call you and if you are prepared a short telephone call will be helpful to both you and the vendor.

Will I continue to attend shows, go to the IPC show, yes I will! Just can't get enough of them.

| To ALL: | | Guess I have indicated that I am not supportive of Trade Shows in general. Make it very clear that I do not support Nepcon West, East, Southwest, Philly, Japan, or UK. Of all of them I feel that there should only be Nepcon West. | | As for airplane cost to California I can only say that we make due with what is available. This year the cheapest I have found and booked was about $400. As for rooms I find it easy to get rooms in the anaheim area for around 50-60 a night. This year I thin the room is in the $60 range. | | The problem I see with any new show is the space available for exhibits, easy of getting around the area, and hotel cost. I don't think we will find it easy getting around Long Beach? | | San Deigo has a great convention center and would certainly hold a PCB / SMT exhibit and have the staff to make it a good show. | | My favorite place would be las Vegas, but will CEO's let their people attend a trade show there? Use to when SMT was there! | | Some of my principals have informed me that they will participate in the IPC/SMEMA show in 2000 and not Nepcon West. Others have indicated that they are looking into it, but have not made up their minds yet. I would think if the big exhibitors move out then the little ones will also, but would it be different at a new show. The vendors spending over 1m now will do the same there and their area of the show will be very large and the little exhibitor will still have the 10 X 20 booth. | | Lets face it, we will always have trade shows, and spend money to go to them, complain about the turnout, setup problems, takedown problems, low lead count, and prepare for the next show. | | I have spent the last twenty some years going to these parties and still attend yearly, monthly it seems. | | One concern I have is having shows tied directly to an orgainization. We see that with SMI and IMAPS (formally ISHM). It is a good place for olde friends to meet but the turnout to the exhibit hall is very low and the shows become smaller every year. Cost are high in respect to the ROI for doing the show. | | So, lets all get ready and go to Nepcon West this year and then the IPC/SMEMA show next year. | | And the vendors show prepare themselves and the booth personnel so they come away with something at the end. | | Sorry for getting carried away..... | | Wayne | |Wayne,

I think many of us share your views about trade shows and that is what makes the IPC approach so appealing. Check this out:

1)The cost for booth space at Nepcon West ranges from $38.50 - $43.00. (Depending upon booth configuration) The cost at the IPC show is $19.00 / sq. ft. -- a cost reduction of over 50%.

This will have a major impact on all of the exhibitors -- even the 10' x 20' exhibitor will put $4,000 back in his pocket.

2)The show will be moving to San Diego in 2001. I think the IPC agrees that San Diego will offer a better show "experience" to all.

3)The IPC has imposed a 5000 sq. ft. maximum on booth size. While this is by no means tiny, it will eliminate the proliferation of "mega-booths" seen at Nepcon.

4)Booth selection at the IPC show is done by lottery - not by booth size. As a result, exhibitors both large and small will be intermixed and all have the chance for the "good spots".

There is no question that the IPC show will experience some teething pains but they seem to have the right attitude and approach which will likely win out in the long run.

| What's going on with Nepcon next year??? | I have heard rumors allot of the big guys are moving to IPC/SMEMA show on a long beach somewhere in Calif.. | | Any info on who is planning to attend Nepcon 2k would be nice | Fuji?? | Universal??? | My company has been exhibiting at Nepcon west for 30 years. For many years allmost everyone had simple booths with curtin walls. Over time the booths became more extravagent with every company trying to outdo the others. Stage shows became the norm for the larger companies even though many attendees beleave this type of presentation is unwarrented in our industry. Nevertheless marketing managers with deep pockets have driven the Nepcon show in this direction and show management simply provided them what they wanted. If someone is silly enough to pay $10,000 to put a wrapper on the show didectory or buy $15,000 banners and floor mats why not take his money. Eventually the cost of all this excess promotion got noticed by upper management of the exhibiting companies and instead of spanking their own marketing people they laid the blame onto Nepcon management (which no doubt deserves its share). I hope the new IPC show does not follow this same misguided direction. | |